Field camera (all metal)

f/λ · Sep 5, 2014

Dear everyone,

I am currently looking into field cameras. Because of reasons, I would like to get an all-metal 4x5, that offers generous movements and is overall to be considered "sturdy".
So far, I have looked into the models of Wista and Toyo, but I assume there will be more. A Canham is out of bounds, I am afraid.

Any suggestions?

Greetings

f/λ

BradS · Sep 5, 2014

It is hard to go wrong with the late madel Toyo field camera. The newer Wistas are nice too (though I have no direct hands on with them). Not sure why you would need/want to look any further. Is there something that you don't like about the Toyo or the Wista?

DannL. · Sep 5, 2014

I once had the Horseman HF (4x5). I really regret having let that camera go. Quite rare and difficult to find. If other Horseman models are built equally well, there's another camera make that you might add to your list.

Jim Noel · Sep 5, 2014

When I was still with the college we bought 4 Toyo field cameras to supplement our 28 monorails. Almost the first time they were put on a tripod the body cracked before the tripod screw was tight enough to keep the camera from twisting. The bodies were no longer metal,but plastic. I don't know if they have changed back to metal.

f/λ · Sep 5, 2014

BradS,

thanks for your insights. The one thing that is slightly putting me off is the design of the rear standard. I would appreciate the tilt-axis being centered, not fixed at the bottom, as it apprears to be the case with the Wista and the Toyo as well.

Greetings

f/λ

EDIT: To clarify, basically what I am looking for is a camera similar to the wooden flatbed/field cameras, just made from metal. A "shell" is not a requirement.

BradS · Sep 5, 2014

f/λ said:
BradS,

thanks for your insights. The one thing that is slightly putting me off is the design of the rear standard. I would appreciate the tilt-axis being centered, not fixed at the bottom, as it apprears to be the case with the Wista and the Toyo as well.

Greetings

f/λ

EDIT: To clarify, basically what I am looking for is a camera similar to the wooden flatbed/field cameras, just made from metal. A "shell" is not a requirement.

Well, it is not metal but in some ways it is better...check out the Walker Titan SF45 (unfortunately, mike stopped producing them a couple years ago).

Incidently, there's nothing at all wrong with base tilts...especially at the rear. Many actually prefer rear base tilt to rear axis tilt. Both accomplish the same end. The Canham DLC45 is also the very essense of what you describe - an all metal flat bed field camera. It is a fantastic design.

TimFox · Sep 5, 2014

The Toyo 45CF is plastic (carbon-reinforced polycarbonate) and therefore very light.
The Toyo 45AII and 45AX are metal.
I have a 45CF and an AX, and I prefer the hardware and motions on the AX, but the CF is good when I need much lighter weight. The main problem with the CF is that the rear standard will only tilt forwards, not backwards, but it has more front motion. I often need to tilt the AX base to get more vertical (up) shift on the lens than the front standard will do by itself, but the CF cannot do that.

jp80874 · Sep 5, 2014

If you can afford the money I would recommend the Linhof Technikarden 45S. It is the second more sturdy version of this camera. It is both field and studio offering far more movements than the normal field camera, I had the first version (without the S) and then sold it to ARI who later traded up to the S version. I sold it because I moved up to 8x10 and 7x17.

There is an S version for sale now on the LF Forum and maybe here. http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?116268-Linhof-Technikardan-S-4x5-camera

I do not know the owner, nor have I seen this camera, but it sounds good.

John Powers

BradS · Sep 5, 2014

Michael R 1974 said:
Hmmm... I'm actually considering parting with my Walker SF. It's one of the last ones! (got it new last year). It is indeed sturdy.

let's talk.

Regular Rod · Sep 6, 2014

f/λ said:
Dear everyone,

I am currently looking into field cameras. Because of reasons, I would like to get an all-metal 4x5, that offers generous movements and is overall to be considered "sturdy".
So far, I have looked into the models of Wista and Toyo, but I assume there will be more. A Canham is out of bounds, I am afraid.

Any suggestions?

Greetings

f/λ

MPP Mk VII

"Sturdy"??? At a pinch I suppose I could knock nails in with mine!

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

http://www.largeformatphotography.i...should-I-buy&p=1159322&viewfull=1#post1159322

http://www.largeformatphotography.i...should-I-buy&p=1159385&viewfull=1#post1159385

Very versatile and quick to deploy. You can fold it with a lens still fitted. Mine gets used in all weathers. No need to be precious with it. It's a real working tool.

RR

f/λ · Sep 6, 2014

Rod,

the MPP seems like a decently done Technika clone, I will try to get my hands on one. It lacks, however, the center axis back tilt.

Any more suggestions on that?

Greetings

f/λ

polyglot · Sep 6, 2014

No Canham DLC? I always lusted after one of those.

Anyway, I have a Toyo 45A. It works great and has all the movements I could want in a field camera including rear swing. Its only drawback as far as I'm concerned is the non-interchangeable bellows which aren't very long. Hard to get high magnifications with it or use long lenses, and you can't fit a bag bellows. You can get newer versions (45AX etc) with a rotating back but I don't see much point - taking the back off to flip it through 90 degrees is pretty quick in the grand scheme of an LF shot setup, and the rotating back is a little heavier.

A Linhof is probably great too but they always seemed more expensive for little or no functional gain, even if they're probably more-finely manufactured.

f/λ · Sep 6, 2014

OK, apparently the mods are L1nhof fanboys (or for whatever reason my first post got swallowed....)

The MPP VII seems fine, looks like a decently done clone of the Techn1ka. However, the back is not quite what I was looking for in the first place. Any more suggestions on that? Anyone?

polyglot, as mentioned in the initial posting, a Canham DLC is not an option. Production numbers apparently were quite small and prices high, which renders the used marked non-existent. Sadly, it seems to be a decent piece of gear.

Greetings

BradS · Sep 6, 2014

f/λ said:
....snip...
polyglot, as mentioned in the initial posting, a Canham DLC is not an option. Production numbers apparently were quite small and prices high, which renders the used marked non-existent. Sadly, it seems to be a decent piece of gear.

Greetings

They do come up for sale from time to time. Often they sell for arond $1200 or less these days...you might try posting a WTB ad in the classifieds here. I think owners sit on them because they tend to not sell as well as other stuff ....it's not the latest cheap wood field from China.

The viewcamera store is also a good place to find them. Try calling them - they do not always put everything on the web site.

Regular Rod · Sep 6, 2014

f/λ said:
OK, apparently the mods are L1nhof fanboys (or for whatever reason my first post got swallowed....)

The MPP VII seems fine, looks like a decently done clone of the Techn1ka. However, the back is not quite what I was looking for in the first place. Any more suggestions on that? Anyone?

polyglot, as mentioned in the initial posting, a Canham DLC is not an option. Production numbers apparently were quite small and prices high, which renders the used marked non-existent. Sadly, it seems to be a decent piece of gear.

Greetings

What were you looking for with regards to the back?

It takes standard cut film holders, is rotatable for horizontal and vertical formats, has swing and tilt, also rearward movement to add to the bellows extension for long lenses.

RR

Regular Rod · Sep 6, 2014

BradS said:
They do come up for sale from time to time. Often they sell for arond $1200 or less these days...you might try posting a WTB ad in the classifieds here. I think owners sit on them because they tend to not sell as well as other stuff ....it's not the latest cheap wood field from China.

The viewcamera store is also a good place to find them. Try calling them - they do not always put everything on the web site.

There's one on eBay right now. eBay item number: 151371362357

RR

Alan Gales · Sep 6, 2014

The metal Toyo's and Wista's are both real nice.

If you like wider lenses than a 90mm or long lenses the Wista is better because it supports both bag bellows and long bellows with an extension rail. You will need the bag bellows with a Wista for a 90mm lens.

f/λ · Sep 7, 2014

Regular Rod said:
What were you looking for with regards to the back?

It takes standard cut film holders, is rotatable for horizontal and vertical formats, has swing and tilt, also rearward movement to add to the bellows extension for long lenses.

RR

As I said, nice pice of gear. The criterion I had in mind regarding the rear standard was "center axis tilt", i.e. the possibility of tilting the rear standard without changing the mean distance form the lens.

Greetings

f/λ

RalphLambrecht · Sep 7, 2014

f/λ said:
Dear everyone,

I am currently looking into field cameras. Because of reasons, I would like to get an all-metal 4x5, that offers generous movements and is overall to be considered "sturdy".
So far, I have looked into the models of Wista and Toyo, but I assume there will be more. A Canham is out of bounds, I am afraid.

Any suggestions?

Greetings

f/λ

I can recommend the Toyo 45 modelsbut mine is not for sale.I'll keep it

polyglot · Sep 7, 2014

BradS said:
They do come up for sale from time to time. Often they sell for arond $1200 or less these days...

Yeah, you could buy two Toyos for that.

In terms of the back, IMHO make sure that whatever you buy can take a Graflok roll holder so that you can shoot affordable (ignoring the horrific prices on good 6x12 backs) colour.

BradS · Sep 7, 2014

polyglot said:
Yeah, you could buy two Toyos for that....

True but they are completely different cameras so the price comparison is kinda meaningless.

f/λ · Sep 7, 2014

Not for a broke-a** university student. This is my main objection against a Canham, "out of bounds" was a polite description. But I see there is no real option to the base-tilt models. I assume my best bet is one of the metal toyos.

Thanks for the replies!

Greetings

f/λ

Mark_S · Sep 8, 2014

BradS said:
Well, it is not metal but in some ways it is better...check out the Walker Titan SF45 (unfortunately, mike stopped producing them a couple years ago).

I am a very happy owner of a Walker Titan SF45 - It has all the movements (and then some) of a wooden field camera, but the stability, moisture resitance etc of a metal camera. The only downside compared to a wooden camera is the weight, but it is probably on a par with a metal camera in that department.

jeffreyg · Sep 8, 2014

My metal Toyo 45A has been reliable and has ample movements for my needs. It was mentioned that the bellows is not that long but I have a rear extension that is not a bellows but attaches when the back is removed and then can be reattached to the extension. I don't recall the length but guess it is about 4-5 inches. I have a 120mm, 210mm 300mm tele and an ancient 135mm that all work with the camera.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/
Dead Link Removed photography.com/

Field camera (all metal)

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